I was right. There’s nothing, no storm, no curse, no enemy that could ever break us.
A New Way
Kai
The following day, Siralaine and I both wake early for the meeting that is being held to discuss important matters for the kingdom. Many who had come for the engagement remained behind, wanting to know what the future of Varindor would look like.
All my life, I have reigned with fear as a commander of the most powerful army.Thatwas my duty. But now the time has come to command over the ones who command the armies.
Siralaine and I both walk side by side towards the large hall where the meeting shall commence.
“Thank you, Lord Zeran, for allowing us to do this here,” Siralaine says.
He looks at her, smiling slightly. “Well, I have grown tired over the centuries with what has become of our world. So I look forward to change. How old are you, Lord Kai? You are a duke in Alvazakh?”
“An heir to the dukedom, which I shall forfeit.” Sorry, Jorah,it’s on you now. “And I am a hundred and thirty-five years old.”
Siralaine stops and stares up at me in surprise. “Really?” she asks.
I cock a brow. “And how old are you?”
“Twenty-one.”
“Hmm.” I cup her face and give it a little squeeze. “Well, only about a century difference.”
Zeran chuckles. “I do not remember the last time we had rulers who were truly in love.”
“Well, I’m not here to play politics. As I said, I’m taking over Varindor, whether our interests align or not. I will only be stating facts today, not playing a political game to win favours.” My eyes meet Zeran’s, and he gives a curt nod.
“And yet I still feel confident.”
We enter the hall, and everyone stands. I spot Gideon, she told me last night that he was her uncle. There are also a few fire fae, ice fae, earth fae, a dryad, and a few other sea sirens. They lower their heads to me as I take a seat on the large chair on one end, and Sira sits on my right. Zeran takes the other end as lord of this home.
“Let’s begin,” I command, not even bothering to look at the scrolls before me. There’s silence as they wait for me to speak. “Varindor has been under Morcant’s rule for nearly five hundred years, with the last fifty being under Varkhazan’s until recently, when Morcant regained that control. I have been on Varindor for a mere few weeks and have witnessed many things that should never happen.”
I take a small break and look over at Siralaine. “On our journey to Elmeria, we stopped in the village of Ridvern and were told of how high the taxes were, how they barely got by, anddespite paying taxes, their land was overrun with bandits who not only stole, but murdered and raped.” My eyes flash as I look at all the nobles.
“You all have jurisdictions that were given to you, and that meant looking after those villages under your care, and yet you failed,” I continue.
“It’s hard to police the villages on the outskirts; it takes a lot more from the coffers than you would think-”
“I don’t care. If you’re a leader, every single person in your area is your responsibility. Things are going to change going forward. Varindor will no longer usurp people of their wealth. For the next fifteen years, the five percent with the highest wealth will pay taxes, and the rest will not, until order and a balance have been restored.”
A murmur crosses the room, and I observe them all. Some are smiling, some nod in approval, some look guilty as they nod their agreements, clearly aware of how badly they were doing, and others don’t look as impressed. I make a note of all of them. I’ll be keeping a close eye on them after all.
“I will assess and work out new guidelines under what areas come under whose command, and over the next few months, I will be visiting every part of this kingdom until order is restored. For those who wish to remain in places of power, you will pledge your allegiance to me. If you do not agree, leave now.”
There’s silence as no one leaves, and I rest my chin on my knuckles.
“Excellent. And just to be clear, we will not get richer in the coming years. We are responsible for the people of Varindor, and that is exactly what we will do. I am not a political person, but I swear that both I and my queen will do our best to help Varindor prosper.” I take Siralaine’s hand, and she smiles,nodding.
I’m so proud of you,she says through the mind-link.
I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you,I reply back.
“And what of the sea sirens?” one of the siren lords asks. “Are there rules regarding land?”
“Everyone is free to walk on land, just as any sailor is free to travel the seas. We will need to work out rules regarding this, but let’s make Varindor a place that even the gods are envious of,” I say.
